Fremantle forward Shai Bolton said he is enjoying being further up the ground and around the ball. 

Speaking to the media on Tuesday morning, Bolton said he likes the midfield/forward split in the fast pace games this season.  

“I was speaking to JL (coach Justin Longmuir). Just saying it feels good to be up the ground and playing (around the ball a bit more),” Bolton said. 

“I played a little bit there against Geelong, but was just one stint.

“Playing most centre bounces, I feel like I'm at my best. 

“I like playing forward as well. But yeah, maybe just like that, 60/40 probably a little bit more mid/forward”. 

Bolton was outstanding at the weekend, playing arguably his best game in purple in the win over Melbourne with 32 disposals, three marks, three tackles, two goals, nine score involvements and nine clearances. 

With midfielder Hayden Young to be sidelined for at least the next two-to-three weeks with a hamstring injury, Bolton will once again look to fill the void against his former side Richmond. 

“I think last year I had a bit of an interrupted preseason… and I just feel like this year I'm more settled in Perth and, I just feel like this year I’m pretty fit.

“It takes time with a lot of people when you come to a new club and the system's a bit different.  

“I think this year we're playing a bit faster, which is good in general. I think AFL is a bit faster, but same as when I was at Richmond, we played, pretty chaotic, pretty fast, and it takes time. But all the boys have been pretty helpful out there, and they help me out.  

“The coaches are pretty good, and now I've made my way up into the midfield I just kind of feel like I can control it.” 

The Round 3 clash between Fremantle and Richmond will commence at 1.15pm WST. 

Fans are reminded they will be required to adhere to Optus Stadium’s new SafeTix system to enter the venue. 

The fixture is the last of Fremantle’s first three games to be shown on a delayed free-to-air broadcast to start season 2026.